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Lenten Reflection

News and Events

NCSW--Kindness: Get in the Habit

March 8, 2017

As part of Women’s History Month, the first National Catholic Sisters Week (NCSW) was launched in 2014. The week of March 8 – 14 is intended to bring greater awareness to Catholic Sisters and to help them be made known and visible on a broad national level.

In celebration of the fourth annual National Catholic Sisters Week, the Erie Benedictines, along with all of the Catholic sisters serving in the Diocese of Erie, are joining a nationwide campaign to encourage people to be kind toward one another.

The message – “Kindness: Get in the Habit” – will be shared through...

“So, this is the first Sunday of Lent, and I have already encountered the first struggle,” begins Sister Val in her blog Walk in the Holy Presence. Sister Val is a novice in initial formation. She posts to her blog twice a week, Sunday and Wednesday. Check out her most recent entry, The Lenten Journey Continues, where you are sure to find insights that may give you pause and challenge you to reflect on your Lenten journey, too.

Erin Carey, a 22 year old graduate of St. Benedict’s College in Minnesota, is volunteering here in Erie as part of the Benedictine Women Service Corps (BWSC), an outreach program of the Benedictine Sisters in Minnesota that encourages alumnae to volunteer in works of justice as they strive to live Benedictine values in a Benedictine community.

Erin is working part time at the Neighborhood Art House (NAH) teaching music...

There's nothing to see in a garden during the winter, right? Not so! says Mike Bailey, Master Gardener, while guiding Neighborhood Art House (NAH) children through the raised beds at the Emmaus Grove Urban Garden.

On an unseasonably warm day in late February, the children not only took a look, they also felt the seemingly dried up remains of the garden plants and smelled them as well. They were surprised to see the beginning of the greening that was soon to come. The Master Gardeners have been wonderful partners for the NAH gardening class, assisting Sr. Pat Lupo in her efforts to...

“I try to remember all the names of the individuals who come through my line at the pantry,” says Debbie Shoup, who volunteers both at Emmaus’ pantry and soup kitchen. “I can’t tell you the warmth of the smile they get on their face when I remember their name without looking at their identification card.”

At the pantry, Debbie sits behind a desk checking guests in each Monday and Tuesday. She works with people from last names beginning with the letters A-G. There are about 300 active individuals in her group of guests.

Committee for Alternative Resource Energy (CARE): New Web Resource Now Available

February 28, 2017

The CARE Committee invites you to visit their new page on the Benedictine Sisters of Erie website. “The goal of our new page is to extend the work of our committee—to provide resources and information for those who would like to join us in making a positive difference in our effort to slow climate change,” explained chairperson Marlene Trambley, Benedictine oblate.

The new page offers articles, web links, videos and other resources. “We also invite our readers to suggest resources that we can share on the page or to tell us about the work you are doing to conserve and protect...

The first homicide victim of 2017 was remembered at a TAKE BACK THE SITE VIGIL held on February 23. Marcell Jakeem Flemings was senselessly gunned down on January 15 at 6th and Parade Streets. The vigil, organized by the Benedictine Sisters, the Sisters of St. Joseph, the Sisters of Mercy, and oblates and associates, is an effort to reclaim the site of violence for non-violence. It honors the victim and prays for the family, friends and neighbors of both the victim and the alleged perpetrator, all of whom are affected.

“For the past 6 months the community has been blessed yet again by a ‘Riepper’ in our midst,” said Sister Anne Wambach, prioress. The community recently celebrated Jessica Chan Varquez, a 24-year-old oblate from Merida, Mexico, who completed her commitment to the Benedicta Riepp Monastic Experience Program. Sister Stephanie Schmidt, Director of Monastic Formation, thanked Jessica for her commitment to live the monastic way of life. Her sentiments echoed those of the community: “You have been faithful to the process of...

The Justice for Immigrants Vigil organized by Benedictines for Peace was held today. A group of about 60 people joined together and called for the building of bridges, not walls. The vigil focused on the contributions immigrants and refugees have made to the Erie area and offered support to those immigrants who are facing the threat of deportation. Read and view local coverage on GoErie.com